Firefighters were pelted with stones when they arrived at the shrine. Protesters were angry at what they said was the firefighters' slow response.

The cause of the blaze was not immediately known.

The fire triggered several protests around the city, prompting police to fire tear gas.

Kashmir is claimed in full by both India and Pakistan. Since 1989, Muslim separatists have been fighting for Kashmir's independence from Hindu-majority India or for a merger with Muslim-majority Pakistan. At least 50,000 people have died in the violence.

The nuclear-armed neighbors have fought two wars over the Himalayan region since gaining independence from Britain in 1947.